I have been working as a music therapist with various client populations overseas and in Australia for over 15 years; particularly gaining expertise in providing music therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents and adults with mental health issues and challenging behaviours. Nowadays, I also specialise in providing music therapy programs for the ageing person and people with disabilities.
I developed my passion for music early on in life when I found my grandmother’s old accordion. Later when choosing my career path, I decided to combine my enthusiasm for music and interest in caring for people. After I finished my training as a paediatric nurse and working as a district nurse, I undertook my first studies in music therapy at the Institut fuer Musiktherapie Berlin, Germany. I started my professional career as a freelance music therapist and provided music therapy in aged care and at a psychiatric hospital. Over time, I specialised in working with young people experiencing mental health issues.
At this time, I gained experience in teaching and supervising music therapy students and was appointed as the head of faculty for further training in social music therapy at the Institut fuer Musiktherapie Berlin. I also gave lectures and workshops around Germany.
When I arrived in Australia in 2007, I completed my Master studies in Creative Music Therapy at UWS in cooperation with the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre, while working as a registered music therapist at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead with the oncology department. I then worked as a research assistant at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre, reviewing the benefits of music therapy in aged care and young people and earned a Bachelor of Psychology at Charles Sturt University.
Currently, I work as a music therapist with people with disabilities, with people experiencing mental health and behavioural issues, and in aged care. In these roles, I do my utmost to use my particular skills to support my clients in their unique process of growth and change, and to develop specific tailored music therapy programs.
